All About Dune Buggy - Essay Example

Parts of dune buggies Name Course Lecturer Date Dune buggies are recreational vehicles commonly used in sand dunes, beaches and desert recreation. They have currently increased in functions and are diversified to handle different terrains. Among them are indoor track racing and others used as on-road vehicles (Dune Buggy History, 2012). The function of the buggy is determined before its creation to maximize its comfort and abilities. Dune buggy is a designed and modified vehicle whose engine is mounted on the chassis. Its special modifications and design is primarily meant to increase its power to weight ratio. This is achieved by lightening the vehicle, increasing engine power or applying both. To work efficiently on the sand dune buggies have large wheels with wide tires. The design involve an alteration of chassis or an existing vehicle to make it more efficient, construction from scratch by use of steel tubing where fabricators change some fundamental parts or a mix of the two methods of design. Since many of buggy drivers make their own buggies by buying the separate chassis, tire, engines, axles and other parts it is important to consider the parts of dune buggies on the basis of feasibility. The differences of materials used for any spring depend on its desired weight, engine size, modifications, body style and many others (Amarouchene and Kellay, 4286). Chassis is the internal framework which supports the objects of the buggy. The chassis of dune buggies depend on the function and number of seats. They are made in different ways depending on number of seats. There are two to four seat chassis frames. The materials are build of fibers, tubing or pipes. In the design of its chassis, three methods are used where the first involve an alteration of another vehicle. A notable alteration is the Volkswagen Beetle. Its automobile platform is most preferred significantly for the position of rear mounted engine. Much of the weight is transferred to the rear wheels giving the buggy an extra traction. The Volkswagen Beetle has also many advantages such as low price, a robust front suspension and has sizeable spare parts from VW Beetles and Microbus. The second construction method involves building the frame from scratch. The common chassis are formed and welded by steel tubing. One significant advantage is that fabricator is able to change its fundamental parts, significantly the suspension and add built-in roll cage. They are commonly known as sandrails and their engine is also located behind. They can also have panels over the frame or may be left bare. The last frame is constructed by a mix of the above two designs. The style is referred to as The Boston-Murphy and considerations are based on a vehicle that has proved strong on age, hard use and in case of accidents (Brandt, 2012). Chassis with mild steel tubing may have 1 ½” steel tubing and 1” tube bracing. Some chassis like the four seats has longer cage and front seat can be moved forward. The chassis are suited on terrain by a good consideration of their wheel base such as 111” depending on the place of buggy use. Some racing buggies frames are made of aluminum body. There are also tube frame chassis which are sturdy, simple to construct, repair and maintain. The common buggies has two commonly applicable chassis; the steel and pipe tubing. Steel tubing is often preferable since it is superior in strength and has a consistent wall thickness. Sandrails frames are constructed from tubular space frame for its chassis to incorporate and integrate roll cage. There are distinctions between dune buggy and sandrails as sandrails rarely have doors, windows, fenders and full body panels. This makes them lighter in weight compared to dune buggy. Most sandrails frames are ultra lightweight weighing between 800-1500 pounds. Sandrail has low centre of gravity to permit it make tight turns in the face of sand dune. They are more used due to lower economical cost in building, maintenance, access to new parts, and good weight and power balance. Dune buggy or sand car on the other hand is also preferred since it is heavier and more powerful. It weighs several thousand pounds with highly advanced transmission and suspension system. This allows it to accommodate larger performing V8 engines like the GM LS engine series. Fiberglass dune buggy is innovatively designed with its peripheral and support system made with fiberglass. Only the engine and gear box are made of alloys and normal metals. The use of the fibers is advantageous as the weight is significantly and greatly reduced to get ideal mass- power ratio. The light weight increases maneuverability and function in more difficult terrain. Fiberglass is also resistant to vibrations and harsh shocks. Some other fiberglass resists pressure and therefore they cannot crack easily. It has unique utilities and characteristics in rough terrain (High, Latitudes, 601). The engine size for buggies varies depending on suspension, performance needs and frame length. The size of an engine can vary depending workload and terrain. Such include small-sized engine for one-seat to four-seat buggy with 8 or more cylinders. Engine size varies from 50 cc for those smaller light one to 7-litre engine and more for professional racing (Wilson, 1987). Dune buggies are designed to use both automatic and manual transmissions based on engine power, applications and personal choice. The buggy engines for the VW Volkswagen are air cooled and simplified in modification. Radiator absence eliminates engine failure. On the other hand, Chevrolet Corvair engines have popularly been used to upgrade buggy to 6 cylinders. Vehicles may sometimes be fitted with turbochargers in order to provide a horsepower of up to 180 (130 kW). VW chassis was converted by fitting it with 180 hp turbocharged Corvair engine, and reverse rotation (All About Performance VW Engines, 2011). Another more recent engine is the modified gas engine with scrap steel, gears and fasteners. It is also made of salvaged copper and weak geological chemicals to make it lighter and durable. With its reduced weight and enhanced durability it maximizes its duration of use. The engines are mounted on the rearward for weight distribution. Racing buggy maximize the grip off their starting line since the weight is kept over the rear wheels. The car weight also greatly reduces. More recent professional VW engine is fuel-injected with four-cylinder and between 1400- 1600 cc. Most of the buggy engines have been improved for efficiency and feasibility. Internal Combustion Engines for propulsion, auxiliary drives and power generation are considered important in development of engines. Sandrails uses lightweight air –cooled engines (Porsche -200 pounds or Chevrolet Corvair -350 pounds). The parts are readily available and affordable and therefore, Volkswagen engine is a continually used for sundrails even today. Recent modifications have considered lighter weight and water cooled engines including the Subaru or Ford engines. Steep sand dunes necessitate increased power. Performance features are therefore added to engines including stock 28 horse power for Volkswagen engine. The features include larger pistons, dual racing carburetors, Turbo charges, fuel injection with high performance cylinder heads and many more. Some engines run on premium unleaded gasoline but high performing engines have to use racing fuel or other fuel additives. High performance Volkswagen engine for sandrails can produce from 170-200+ hp range and up to 700 hp with Methanol fuel. Manual transmission is common with most sandrails but automatic transmissions are also used. Dune buggy’s paddle tires are primarily designed for driving on the sand. They have successfully been used in soft packed dirt, mud and snow. Multiple functions require the use of off-road tires and sand tires. The tires have lighter duty frames and limited suspension. Front tires have high floatation smooth while the special rear paddle tires allow sandrails to skim over sand surfaces without sticking. They consist of a smooth tire core with series larger rubber paddles. The mud or sand rarely clogs in the space as the volume inside this paddle is larger. The paddle is for providing a superior traction as it digs in and push off the buried sand. The mud tire is a normal tire with extra voids that allow self-clean of the centrifugal force. There is also an extreme mud tire such as Super Swampier which is louder and harsher on hard surfaces. The front dune buggy tires such as radial and front sand tires have smooth surfaces and are smaller in sizes than the rear for turning efficiency. The rear sand viper paddles are wide and has more grip on the sand surface. Their larger surface area reduces the sinking which increase speed and reduces fuel consumption. Paddle tires have the grips tilted on the front side and this increases their efficiency of moving. Steel wheels such as billet and chrome steel are strong and durable and function in adverse weather, however they increase the weight of the buggy and this may greatly reduce the speed due to reduced traction on the sand. Lower pH mostly on the salty beaches may increase its rusty nature and reduce the durability. Aluminum wheels are specially designed to reduce both rusty condition and weight of the buggy (Kincheloe, 1). The small buggy intake system depends on the need of power, steep or shallow sand dunes. For instance, stock 28 Volkswagen engine has been fitted with large pistons, fuel injection, dual racing carburetors and high performer cylinder heads to increase performance. Intake system varies from the 4 stroke 50cc to 800 cc carburetor. There are larger 1600 cc off-road buggy which has dyno-testing and dynamic airflow. Its R2C carbon fiber reduces inlet restriction. A massive internal volume provides more efficient intake volume increasing the horsepower and throttle response. The R2C buggy air filter stops dirt efficiently allowing continuous working of buggy in dust places. The interlocking sealing also eliminates the potential leakage. The buggy gearbox such as 3 speed gearbox is manufactured to withstand turbocharged 350 BHP 4 wheel drive machine. Automatic gearbox is efficient for use by new drivers as well as it’s commonly usage with racing buggies. There is other f-n-r and 3-4 speed forward and reverse gearboxes. The buggy with reverse gear permits navigation as well as turns in harsh terrains. Dune buggy exhaust systems include the equal length, dual and racing exhaust systems. The equal length ensures optimum volumetric efficiency and compensates the cylinder offset. Dual exhaust is designed for all performance in dual muffler system. Some of its feasibility features are an improved ground clearance, easy engine access and quieter operation. Racing exhaust system is metallic coated to increase durability and function in races. Other types of exhaust systems with more or less function as the above are large flange and small flange systems differentiated o the size of the exhaust pipes. Dune buggy exhaust is differentiated on the bends, metallic and thermal barrier coating. The Baja exhaust system is made of steel tubing and bends are for exhaust scavenging. Metallic ceramic coating reduces thermal conductivity. This specific mode reduces breakage, loudness and efficiently pushes out and allows smooth transition of exhaust fumes. Recent modifications of most dune buggies include exhaust pipe with washer; defend plates, seal ring and silencer assy. The seats varies from one, two three and four for most dune buggies. For convenient outdoor usage most are poly-coated and plastic made. They are designed for multiple purposes. This makes then feasible and efficient in all weather except that they are less comfortable for longer use. Other comfortable modes of seat like leather and woolen seats are designed with flexibility as they can be used for forward or backward for convenient drive. They are also adjustable for different seating or resting postures. Military buggies are specifically modified with the front seat above the other rear seats for machine gun control and other armaments. There are low and high poly seat with specific design for a single or double seats. The rear bench is mostly suited for double or triple seats. There are specially made shells, cover to make most of the seats water resistant and to adjust to comfort ability. Race trim and suspension seats are specifically built for professional use with enhanced features to increase adjustment, reduce friction and for comfort ability. For safety purposes dune buggies uses a safety belt system of three, four, five and six-point and arm or wrist restraints. The advantages with most leather seats are safety offered by the safety belts and additional shock absorption reducing fatigue. This is important on steeply and rocky terrain. Applicability and efficiency depend on whether the buggy is exposed of covered (Hesp, 2012). According to (Pawley, 46), the braking system of dune buggies depends on the applicable brakes. There are a wide range dune buggy brakes. Good condition of the braking system ensures that the use safety is increased. Because of their use in most rough areas, and their usual unstable condition, the brakes needed are made in a more efficient way. The stainless steel brakes with adjustable pushrod kit are universally preferred as it allows constant adjustment and also reduce the possibility of malfunctioning due to rusty calipers, rotors and lines. The rubber can also be adjusted depending on the tire’s pressure. Axles depend on whether one is a full-floating or semi-floating. All front steering drive axles are designed for full rotation. Rear drive may apply full or semi-floating. Other buggies with reverse cut have a ring gear with the reverse direction spiral cut. Reverse-cut axles are used for higher ground clearance, gear ratio availability, suspension considerations and cost. The axle allows the wheels and gear to rotate. They are different with most racing buggy axle fixed with the wheels rotating around it. There are bearings and bushings at the mounting points to allow the wheel to move. This increases the efficiency as the wheels are free to move in case there is little acceleration. However it is not efficient for braking system (Pawley, 53). The most common dune buggy shafts are the bent heels made of iron rods (Richtel, 4). The may be single or double bend shafts made of pony or the extra heavy shafts. The iron shafts are used more in racing sports and tough terrain, while most of poly shafts are for sand and muddy terrain. Both are efficient in respective places but the iron shafts are applicable for both. The design depends on usage including carriage, recreational or racing buggy. Other accessories of the dune buggy depend on countries legislations and personal choices. Special and additional modifications include wind shield, turning signals for road worthy buggies. Steering wheels, HID & LED headlamps, GPS navigation devises, radios and passenger communications headsets are common with different buggies. References All about Performance VW Engines #3 (Summer): 12-13. 2011. Amarouchene, Boudet, and H Kellay. “Dynamic sand dunes.” Physical Review Letters 86.19 (2001): 4286-4289. Brandt, Marlin (Feb 18 2012). "Informal survey of 100 people at Dumont Dunes 2012". Burkett, James D. "Engine/transmission adapter kit." U.S. Patent No. 5,566,591. 22 Oct. 1996. Callas, Frank J. "Apparatus for collapsing the beads of all-terrain vehicle tires." U.S. Patent No. 4,756,354. 12 Jul. 1988. Dune Buggy History. [www.dunebuggyarchives.com/DuneBuggyHistory "Dune Buggy History"]. Dune Buggy Archives. Retrieved 2012. Hesp, P A. “Surfzone-beach-dune interactions.” NCKdays 2012 Crossing borders in coastal research jubilee conference proceedings (2012). High Latitudes. “Dune fields.” Ed. A Elias Scott. America (2007) : 599-607. Kincheloe, Dan. "Roll cage for personal motorized vehicles." U.S. Patent No. 4,973,082. 27 Nov. 1990. Pawley, Martin. Terminal architecture. London: Reaktion Books, 1998.  Richtel, Matt. “New Economy; A nerdy entrepreneur dreamed of a better place. Now he’s made one, using 33 million and some virtual dune buggies.” New York Times (2003): 4. Wilson, Cecil R. "Apparatus for mounting a motorcycle engine to a dune buggy." U.S. Patent No. 4,645,172. 24 Feb. 1987. Read More